65 Barracuda; the engine bay harness was hacked into for a electronic ignition, underdash wiring hacked into for a radio, aftermarket tach and an elec. oil press gauge. The car was then in a front end wreck.

I'm putting it back in "running" shape for a friend after a collision. the engine was replaced, and the engine harness removed to do some of the work. The engine is in, but hasn't started yet. I'm just connecting things up. I've never professed to being an electrical wiz, mind you.

I put in a battery, and when the key was on, the regulator was buzzing! I guess that 's bad. Sure'nuff. opened it up and it was burnt.

I removed the extra under dash stuff....and tried some switches.

Good: interior lights, headlights, blinkers, tail lights, wipers.
Bad: hit the brakes and nothing; if the tail lights are on, they go out.
No dash lights either. No fan at the heater switch.

I do have a wiring diagram, but not one for the elect ignition (yet). Its a 273 car. Any idea what would cause the tail lights to go out when the brake is depressed?

thanks

If the lights get very dim, but don't go out entirely, most likely it could just be a bad ground for the lights. Next most likely is a high resistance in the feed to both circuits, most likely right at the bulkhead connector or ammeter, or right at the turn signal switch.

You'll be much happier once you get some good factory schematics. The add-ons ought not to be too hard to figure out (then add them to the schematics so you don't have to redo it next time).